THE HAGUE, 01/12/06 - Gasunie has caused confusion about its relationship with Russian gas giant Gazprom. The Dutch company told Reuters news agency Wednesday evening it is considering selling a stake to the Russians, but has now backtracked on this.

"I do not rule out the option of Gazprom taking a stake in Gasunie," Gasunie chief Marcel Kramer told Reuters. "If the opportunity arises, we are open to it."

But Kramer withdrew his statements yesterday. Gasunie is not open to the sale of a stake to the Russian state gas company, according to Gasunie spokesman Hansch van der Velden.

Gasunie does however want to strengthen its relationship with Gazprom. "It is up to them to grasp the opportunities, should they arise," according to Kramer.

The Russian company is looking for expansion in Western Europe to insure sales of its gas. The Netherlands could give shape to its ambitions to become the gas exchange centre of Northwest Europe with the Russian supplement.

The two companies already have a partnership. They agreed this summer to swap stakes in pipelines. Gazprom gets a stake in Gasunie's pipeline to the UK and Gasunie can participate in Gazprom's northern European gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea.